Folk remedies for sunburn

Here's a summer's worth of sunburn relief. At least a few of these 20 folk remedies are sure to work for you.

Aloe

Take as many leaves as necessary from an aloe plant; refrigerate; peel off top layer of leaves; apply the side of the leaf with flesh exposed directly to the sunburn. Aloe is very effective in relieving pain and inflammation.

Apple cider vinegar

Use a cotton ball to apply apple cider vinegar to the burn, or make a cooling compress for a large area to relieve the pain. Keep the skin moistened. This remedy will prevent blistering and peeling.

Aspirin

Aspirin kills the pain and reduces inflammation and redness of a sunburn. It short-circuits the whole sunburn process. Aspirin must be taken within 24 hours of getting sunburned. It is preferable to ibuprofen or acetaminophen because it is less stressful on the liver and kidneys.

Baking soda

Dissolve some baking soda in water and make a compress using a clean cloth. Another remedy is to add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a tepid bath and soak. Instead of drying the affected area with a towel, let it air dry. Baking soda is cooling and will help the skin retain moisture.

Baths

Add 20 drops of each of lavender and chamomile essential oils to a tubful of cool water and soak for 10 minutes.

Cucumber

Rub sunburned area with fresh cucumber slices. They are very cool and will soothe the area.

Epsom salts

Dissolve epsom salts in water and make a compress using a clean cloth.

Ice

Apply ice or cold water to the burned area. This will stop the burning process and cool the skin.

Lavender

Mix 20-25 drops of lavender oil in one cup of water and bathe the sunburned area.

Lemon water

Mix the juice of three lemons into two cups of cold water and sponge on the sunburn. The lemon will cool the burn, act as a disinfectant and will promote healing of the skin.

Milk

Make a compress of whole milk (or buttermilk) and apply to the burned area for 20 minutes; repeat every two to four hours. Wash the milk off so you won't smell sour! The fat content of the milk is soothing for burns.

Oatmeal

Put some oatmeal in tepid bath water, soak for a few minutes, then air dry yourself.

Onion

Bruise an onion and rub on the burn.

Peppermint

Apply peppermint oil to the sunburned skin. You can also make a mild peppermint infusion and use it as a wash to cool the sunburn.

Potato

Grate a potato and apply it to the burned area. The starch will cool and soothe the burn.

Shower

Take a warm shower to draw out the heat of your sunburn. The warm water will increase circulation to the area while hydrating it, thereby speeding the healing process.

Tea

Make some tea, cool and apply to the burn. While any tea may be beneficial, mint tea, such as peppermint or spearmint are especially good. The teas have tannins that help the healing process.

Witch hazel

Make a decoction of witch hazel and apply with a compress.

Yarrow

Native Americans used an infusion of ground yarrow as a wash.

Yogurt

Apply plain yogurt with live cultures, let it stand for a few minutes, then rinse off under cool water. Another remedy using yogurt is to mix equal parts of yogurt and mashed strawberries and apply to the sunburned area for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.